Comments on: Improved Teacher Working Conditions – Something We Need http://supteach.edublogs.org/2008/12/14/improved-teacher-working-conditions-something-we-need/ teachers are people too. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:32:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: mr. g http://supteach.edublogs.org/2008/12/14/improved-teacher-working-conditions-something-we-need/comment-page-1/#comment-93 mr. g Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:18:16 +0000 http://supteach.edublogs.org/?p=100#comment-93 You're right. I think I too often magnify the negatives over the positives (which are many, as well). After posting I realized all I did was merely ask a question without posing a solution. And though I'm with you on the "this ain't no white-collar, office job", a few things that COULD (possibly) ease working conditions for me: 1. An opportunity to meet and plan with colleagues DURING the school day. 2. One work day every 1 or 2 months where teachers have an opportunity to plan, grade, make copies, organize, maintain classrooms, meet. Our inservice days are too often spent on lousy workshops. The time could easily be used for something better and more productive. 3. A rotating schedule so that all teachers have their prep period meet their lunch period once a week if one would like to spend their lunch outside campus. 4. More support, more sense of community: I have NO relationship with my administration and KNOW only a handful of teachers at my school. 5. We have minimum days once a week at my school (for faculty/dept meeting purposes - both of which I find inefficient and unproductive). Rather than minimum days, why not late start? I'd prefer the latter. Anyone else want to chime in on what could improve work conditions for you? You’re right. I think I too often magnify the negatives over the positives (which are many, as well). After posting I realized all I did was merely ask a question without posing a solution. And though I’m with you on the “this ain’t no white-collar, office job”, a few things that COULD (possibly) ease working conditions for me:

1. An opportunity to meet and plan with colleagues DURING the school day.
2. One work day every 1 or 2 months where teachers have an opportunity to plan, grade, make copies, organize, maintain classrooms, meet. Our inservice days are too often spent on lousy workshops. The time could easily be used for something better and more productive.
3. A rotating schedule so that all teachers have their prep period meet their lunch period once a week if one would like to spend their lunch outside campus.
4. More support, more sense of community: I have NO relationship with my administration and KNOW only a handful of teachers at my school.
5. We have minimum days once a week at my school (for faculty/dept meeting purposes – both of which I find inefficient and unproductive). Rather than minimum days, why not late start? I’d prefer the latter.

Anyone else want to chime in on what could improve work conditions for you?

]]> By: Bronx2020 http://supteach.edublogs.org/2008/12/14/improved-teacher-working-conditions-something-we-need/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Bronx2020 Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:36:21 +0000 http://supteach.edublogs.org/?p=100#comment-92 All valid points, but is there anything that can be done about this? I mean, all the things you're talking about are characteristics of a white-collar, office job -- which teaching ain't. You could make the same complaints about a ton of jobs, anything from garbage man to surgeon. What sorts of changes, realistically, do you think should be made? All valid points, but is there anything that can be done about this? I mean, all the things you’re talking about are characteristics of a white-collar, office job — which teaching ain’t. You could make the same complaints about a ton of jobs, anything from garbage man to surgeon.

What sorts of changes, realistically, do you think should be made?

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